King Abdullah Program for Culture of Dialogue and Peace announced

October 12, 2010

The Saudi Ministry of Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to establish the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Program for the Culture of Dialogue and Peace. Education Minister Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed signed on behalf of the Kingdom, while UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova signed for her organization. Afterwards, Prince Faisal announced that the Kingdom has appropriated $5 million for the program’s budget. In a statement following the signing ceremony, Saudi Permanent Representative to UNESCO Dr. Ziad Al-Darees said that the MoU paves the way for the drafting of a detailed agreement between the two sides, suggesting that youth programs would be implemented by Saudi Arabia, UNESCO and other UNESCO member states.

Later today, Prince Faisal and Director General Bokova will open the “Exhibition of 20 Windows on the World,” an art show organized by the permanent representative office of the Kingdom to UNESCO in Paris. The exhibition is a Saudi initiative within the framework of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures 2010. Dr. Al-Darees said that the paintings displayed in the show will support peace and dialogue.